Selwood tops player of the year vote after bumper year with Emus

BEST OF THE BEST: Emus flanker Andrew Selwood was sensational all season for the greens, and was honoured as Blowes Clothing Cup player of the year. Photo: JUDE KEOGH

Andrew Selwood had some pretty mixed emotions after Saturday’s grand final at Endeavour Oval.

The damaging Emus flanker was on the wrong end of the 28-20 Blowes Clothing Cup first grade decider result, won by Forbes, but took home the competition’s player of the year award after a stand-out 2017 campaign on the side of the greens’ scrum.

Selwood was sensational as Emus ran through an undefeated regular season campaign and then won through to the 2017 grand final first after a 20-18 major semi-final win.

Such was Selwood’s dominance throughout that winning run, he was virtually a lock to win the player of the year gong.

But he’d hand it all back if it meant winning Saturday’s grand final, instead of being left a touch hollow.

“It’s a hard one really,” Selwood said.

“I really wanted to celebrate (the player of the year award) with a win today. A few guys let me know I was in with a chance (of winning it), so to get both would have been great.

“It’s definitely a team sport and I’d rather celebrate with the guys than get this one.”

Selwood scored a try in the grand final to get his side back in front 17-13 just after half-time.

But it wasn’t enough.

The visiting Forbes Platypi rallied with late tries to Matt Coles and Mahe Fangupo to claim the premiership, the club’s first since 2003.

Selwood praised the mental steel Forbes showed on the big stage,

“We couldn’t hold it together, they have,” he said.

“They had to get there in the end. There’s 15 of us out there on the field and we can’t always rely on Nige, I guess it’s hard for him to watch it.

“It’s well deserved for Forbes.”

The Central West Rugby Union Referees Association (CWRURA) votes on a three-two-one basis at the end of each game to determine the winner of the award.

Selwood edged the likes of Nick Hughes-Clapp and Dubbo Kangaroos centre Billy Sing for the award.